Just like any other person, our children will have to face situations where they are hurt by the action of others. Maybe a friend will say something hurtful to them, or a sibling will accidentally break their favorite toy.

But while it is understandable for kids to get upset when they are hurt, they must also learn to forgive the people who hurt them. Because this small act for forgiveness may just change the world.

Aiming to help kids understand the importance of forgiveness is new developer Kidappers, whose first app recently hit the App Store. The app is called Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard, and it is an interactive tale filled with positive moral messages and vibrant illustrations.

Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard is an interactive tale about forgiveness and second chances

To Forgive and Forget

Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard follows a little sunbeam, Son of the Sun, who journeys to the North Pole to learn more about the cold. He discovers a cave, and is shocked to find it full of creatures trapped in icy crystals.

But when Son of the Sun investigates the mastermind behind the dastardly deed, he himself is captured by the Wizard Lizard. Can Son of the Sun warm the heart of his captor? Or will he be trapped forever in his icy prison?

Son of the Sun is a beautifully illustrated tale with a format similar to that of a traditional book. Each page of text is followed by an interactive scene, which comes alive at the touch of a finger.

For example kids can tap on the clouds to make it snow, or on ice crystals to make them glimmer with the colors of the rainbow. There is also a special musical scene featuring instrument-wielding animals. At the end of the book, kids can play jigsaw puzzles with three levels of difficulty.

The app comes with professionally recorded narration, which can be turned off if kids prefer to read by themselves. Word highlighting is also available to assist emerging readers.

Parents Need to Know

Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard makes a great reading material for kids of all ages. While the story is quite lengthy, younger readers should find it easy to follow with the help of the narrator and word highlighting.

Navigating the app is easy: simply tap on the arrows at the top of the screen to move back and forth between pages. You can also jump to a specific page from the table of contents.

Safety-wise, parents should feel at ease knowing that the app does not contain ads and in-app purchases. External links to the developer's website and Facebook page are present, but are kept in a protected section for parents.

Things I Like

Right from the main screen, I can tell that Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard has great production values. The illustrations, made to look like paper cutouts, are lovely to behold and the interactive elements engaging. The narrator sounds professional. The developers have also thrown in original soundtracks and sound effects that round up the interactive experience.

But more than just an interactive playground to explore, the app also offers a well-written story imbued with a solid moral message. This message is emphasized in the last page of the book: be ready to forgive, and goodness will fill the world.

Unlike the typical good-versus-evil story where the villain gets locked away when defeated, Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard shows that everyone deserves the chance to redeem themselves. It's a truly heartwarming tale.

Kids can also interact with the scenes and play with puzzles

Conclusion

Sometimes teaching kids to forgive can be difficult, but it is important. Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard makes that job a bit easier. The beautifully drawn illustrations keep kids engaged in the story, while professionally recorded narration and word highlighting ensure that emerging readers can follow along. Finally, soothing soundtracks and sound effects round up the interactive experience.

Son of the Sun and Wizard Lizard is available for iPad
Get it on the App Store: iPad